Read More

Why is it closing?

The closure ends the shop’s 15-year stint at the site (Image: Richard Amofa)

The shop, which sells school uniforms, football kits and childrenswear, is coming to the end of its lease at the Guildhall.

Adrian Giblett, director of Tony Pryce, went on to say that he doesn’t want to commit to another lease due to the struggling high street – despite admitting that the Exeter branch is the chain’s best-performing shop.

"The high street is tough and to be honest the business rates and rent prices in the Guildhall are too high for us to commit to another five or 10 year lease in the current economic climate," he told DevonLive.com earlier this year.

"The Exeter branch has always been our best branch and to this day it still is our best branch and it is a real shame that we are closing."

The store could have been forced to shut even sooner due to maintenance works that needs to be carried out before it vacates the unit.

"We are planning to close at the end of July, however maintenance works needs to be carried out before we leave,” Mr Giblett explained.

Read More

What does the future hold for Tony Pryce?

There are other branches of Tony Pryce in Devon including Barnstaple, Tiverton and Exmouth which are currently still open and Mr Giblett said they have no plans to close any of the shops still trading.

He said: "We have been trying to sell the business for a while now as I am near to the age of retirement but no one has been interested.

"We will continue to keep trading from our other stores and we won't close any down while we have current leases for them. There will be no other closures in 2018."